5/3/12

The Routine and houseguest... Not so much.

I am a first time mom, I really have very little idea what I
am doing when it comes to my son.Of course I know the basics, feeding, bathing, loving… it’s the
structuring part that I find difficult and more or less a process of trial and
error. I want nothing but the very best for my baby and most of all I want him
to be happy and smiling all of the time.I am quickly learning that is so far from impossible, unless I want to
be a crazed neurotic mess 24/7.

Over the last 3 weeks I have had houseguest 12 of the 21
days, and have family in town for another 2 weeks.It is wonderful having family here, but trying to
accommodate their schedule and needs is super difficult with a 3 month old.Basically my son, in order to be a
happy chappy, needs to take frequent naps throughout the day, eat every three
hours, be in the bath by 7pm and in his crib by 8pm.THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GUEST!

I know this to be true because I have tried my ass off and
failed miserably. The very first thing I learned was the fine line between
keeping Oliver on his schedule and keeping Oliver from the family.During the day my baby likes to eat,
play then sleep.This cycle goes
just like that every three hours.If I skip more than one cycle without a short nap, then Ollie becomes a
cranky mess. While I am at work daddy is in charge. This means no schedule is
kept and by the time I come home Oliver is a screaming, over stimulated,
exhausted mess. NO FUN!

After 4 days in a row of this crazy behavior, I stayed home
from work to be a neurotic over protective mom.It worked!That
night Oliver was a happy chappy after spending the day on his routine. I called
my sister crying trying to find a way to enforce his Routine and not be a total
bitch.My sister said, “Unfortunately
ONLY you and Oliver understand how important the routine is.Making daddy stick to it like clock
work is just not going to happen, especially with his family in town.” Needless
to say she did not make me feel any better.She did at least open my eyes to the reality of killing
myself to keep Ollie on the routine is pointless.

The bottom line is that I know how incredibly important the
routine is for my son.I am going
to do my very best to keep him as close to it as possible without being a huge
neurotic bitch. I have faith that over time an easier Routine will develop, one
that both dad and I can stick to.

Two confused parents=One amused baby Hopelessly we are trying raise a baby who is clearly smarter than both of us. April is an award-winning writer and blogger. Her work has been published in over ten countries and four languages. From books to newspapers, to print/online magazines and everything in between, you can find her work. For more on April, Visit AprilMcCormick.com